Wapun Meadow no rest for the weary

A month. He could work with that. Evie took a breath in through his nose and offered a small smile to the other boy, hoping he was at least a bit reassuring. It had to be stressful and scary to have someone chasing you down like that - no wonder Fields couldn't sleep. Poor guy. 

           "I have someone like that, too," he offered, tilting his head to the side. "I don't really know if she's still looking for me, but if she is, I know she won't be happy if she does find me." His mother's manic face popped into his head and he shook the thought away. Memories of her often came with imagery of being sick - of poisoned meals that he didn't know were poisoned. Of smothering. Of making him sick when he wasn't sick. 

            Evien had been afraid at first, after leaving, but as the months went by and the fear ebbed, he became more relaxed and more sure of himself. Maybe Fields could do the same. "If you haven't seen him in a month, what are the odds he'll show up now?" he asked gently, gaze softening. "Right now, you don't have anything to be afraid of. It's a nice day out, everything is quiet, and if someone shows up I'll fight them." He cleared his throat and rolled his shoulders, entirely bluffing now. Making a joke in an attempt to lighten the situation. "I mean, I know I don't look like much, but..."